Overview & Reviews

Owned by General Motors, Cadillac is America's most prestigious domestic luxury automaker. For most of its existence, the company was known exclusively for its cushy, senior-friendly sedans, but in more recent years the automaker has revised and expanded its lineup in a successful effort to attract a new, younger generation. Cadillac's roster now includes SUVs (its Escalade is a favorite of both rappers and suburban moms), a crossover and even a high-performance wagon.

Born in 1902, Cadillac was founded by Henry Martyn Leland, a manufacturer of automotive components. He named the company after a noted French explorer who discovered Detroit in the early 1700s. Leland helped create one of the company's earliest offerings -- the Cadillac Osceola, noted for being the industry's first concept car and the first closed-body car made in America. Only one Osceola was made, but it helped spark a trend; closed bodies caught on and spread like wildfire through the industry.

Cadillac quickly gained a reputation for specializing in precise craftsmanship and for using standardized parts. The success of early Cadillacs like the Model A and the "30" made the brand a sales success, so much so that the automaker was purchased by General Motors in 1909. The marque became GM's luxury division, and its list of innovations grew. Cadillac was the first U.S. auto manufacturer to produce a V8, the first to use thermostatic control of a cooling system and the first to offer dash-controlled headlights. During the 1930s, the brand earned a strong reputation for producing powerful and smooth V12 and V16 engines.

Soon after World War II, Cadillac history hit a high point as its tailfinned and chrome-laden cars became the epitome of American postwar automotive style. Cadillac's tailfin took its cue from Lockheed's P38 Lightning Aircraft, and was the brainchild of designer Frank Hershey. Vehicles like the Coupe de Ville and Fleetwood El Dorado made Cadillac a staple in upscale neighborhoods and among the Hollywood set.

By the 1960s, Cadillac's flashy tailfins had given way to a new styling cue: vertical taillights. This attribute was in evidence on one of Cadillac's most successful new cars of that decade, the Fleetwood Sixty Special. The Fleetwood offered luxury features that were cutting-edge for its day, such as fold-down writing tables, footrests and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.

The gas crunch of the 1970s, however, started a downward trend for the company. Cadillac's Titanic-sized behemoths that ruled the highways in previous decades were increasingly out of touch and out of favor. Cadillac responded to the changing times by downscaling the dimensions of many vehicles in its lineup. Despite this smart maneuvering, the automaker's fortunes suffered in the late '70s when it unveiled a diesel engine that quickly earned a reputation for spotty performance.

The 1980s saw the redesign of the Seville, a vehicle whose unique bustle-back styling sparked a trend and inspired its share of imitators. That decade also witnessed the rollout of the Cimarron, a small car that was essentially a rebadged Chevy Cavalier, the latter an economy car not exactly known for excellence. Understandably, the Cimarron never caught on with the public. Things got worse when Cadillac launched a series of underpowered, unreliable V8s during the first half of that decade that, along with the notoriously unreliable diesel, cost the automaker thousands of customers, millions of dollars and immeasurable damage to its reputation.

By the early '90s, Cadillac started a major turnaround as it brought out redesigned, stylish models with vastly improved engines. Shortly after the new millennium bowed, the company adopted its "Art & Science" design philosophy. With styling cues that included sharp, almost severe lines and stacked headlamps, Art & Science was first seen on Cadillac's 1999 Evoq concept roadster. By the mid-2000s, this bold new look had reinvigorated the company's sales, and was seen on hits such as the Escalade SUV and the CTS sport sedan.

This fresh styling, coupled with improvements in performance and overall product quality, has done a great deal to help Cadillac recover much of its previous status. Today's Cadillacs, which include coupes, sedans, crossovers and SUVs, are known for offering powerful engines, chiseled lines, sharp handling and a full accoutrement of luxury features.

User Reviews:

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  Big Piece of Junk - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By earle - February 22 - 5:48 pm

  This was the worse vehicle that we have ever purchased. During the time that we owned this SUV, it was in the shop for repairs constantly. Unfortunately, after this experience, we will never purchase another GM car. We just purchased a new Lexus RX400h and love it. There is a huge difference in quality and it is worth the difference in price.

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  2000 Seville SLS - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By smithlaw87 - February 22 - 4:51 pm

  From the day that I purchased this car, I knew that I would like it. It drives well, and although I had early problems with it, lately it has performed very well and I have had only minor problems with it. I think the style is great, the sound system is excellent, and the comfort is off the charts. It rides very smoothly up to about 65 miles an hour, but I believe that there is a problem with the springs on all of the 2000 models where it becomes noticeably shaky until about 80 mph. The size isnt what I was hoping it to be. Its very roomy, dont get me wrong, but now that I think about it, it is a little bit big for my needs. The gas mileage isnt so great, but that isnt too important to me.

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  My DTS - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By BenKelba - February 21 - 11:23 am

  This car rides and handles much better than I expected. For its size, comfort, and economical operations I cannot think of a better choice. I use the car to transport customers on trips between 10 miles to over 100 miles. I always hear comments like "how come they dont sell more of these." I am never ashamed to use this vehicle with my clients.

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  Rock & Roll! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Spadalac - February 20 - 2:00 am

  At the age of 39 I the age group that Cady is focusing on to make their comeback. I can tell you that they have NOT disappointed. This vehicle is one of the most enjoyable rides that I have ever driven and I am not comparing to SUVs only. Comfort, handling, response are all top notch. The interior is roomy and sporty although not as nice as I would have wanted. This car is pure heavenly to drive however the price tag is steep and GM may have a harder time selling a vehicle at this price to GenX ers like myself.

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  04 CTS w/3.6 litre VVT - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By MB man - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought this as a return to Cadillac after 10 years of Mercedes. Still have one but thought I would give the CTS a try. I am very pleased with the handling and performance of this vehicle. I do not have enough miles to give a reliability rating but it finally feels like Caddy got this right. It wanders a little more than a real german car at high speeds and does not feel quite as solidly stuck to the ground, but for 40 grand I am so far pleased.

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  To Caddy or Not to Caddy - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By koole - February 19 - 9:27 am

  The DeVille is a great looking car. It has abundant features. I wish it had cooled seats like 04 and newer models though. It also has a nice clean interior setup, everything is easily within drivers reach.

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  Reliability Less Than Expected - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Alan - February 15 - 6:47 pm

  As soon as I reached the end of the 4 year warranty, my CTS has been nothing but trouble. I have been to the repair shop so often, the customer service reps recognizes my voice and asks "What now?". Since the 1st of October the right engine gaskets failed at 48,000 miles. Then in November and December there were electrical problems with OnStar and the brake and tail lights. In January 07 it was the left side engine gaskets. Now in February the air bag service warning light is on. GM will go bankrupt fixing these cars with the longer warranty period. All I can say to prospective buyers is "BEWARE".

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Bionic Pig - February 15 - 10:00 am

  The size and confort are fantastic

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  Nice Car, but Still Some Things to Improve - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By r41866 - February 14 - 2:55 pm

  The CTS has a small turning radius and good traction, even in rainy days. It also has very good braking performance. Its acceleration is not very impressive, but maybe it is due to the heavy weight. Its fuel efficiency is so so. Its ride is comfortable, except that the engine noise is quite loud. Its quality is OK, except for a problem with the automatic window.

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  Excelent Car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By JBL - February 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the first caddy in 50 years to have manual transmission!!..lol anyways, it has good acceleration, great comfort and great value...what more could you ask for